save
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for save, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To rescue someone or something from harm or danger.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use save
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French sauver, from Late Latin salvāre, "to save," related to Latin salvus, "safe."
Full origin of save →Frequently asked questions
What does “save” mean?
The word “save” means to rescue someone or something from harm or danger. In plain terms, to rescue, protect, set aside for later, or store — depending on context.
How do you pronounce “save”?
“Save” is pronounced sayv (/seɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “save” in a sentence?
Here is “save” used in a sentence: “The lifeguard saved the swimmer from drowning.”
What part of speech is “save”?
Depending on how it is used, “save” can be a verb, a noun and a preposition.
Where does the word “save” come from?
The word “save” comes from Late Latin. From Old French sauver, from Late Latin salvāre, "to save," related to Latin salvus, "safe.".
Is “save” a common word?
“Save” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “save” have?
“Save” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rescue someone or something from harm or danger.
What is the difference between save and rescue?
The two overlap, but rescue almost always means physically freeing someone from immediate danger, as in a rescue from a fire or flood. Save is broader: you can save a life, save money, or save a file. In the danger sense they are close synonyms, though rescue feels more urgent and hands-on.
What are the different meanings of save?
Besides rescuing from harm, save has several everyday senses: to set money aside for later, to store computer data, to keep something for future use, and in sport, to stop a goal or point. All share the idea of preserving something, a life, money, data, or a score, from being lost.
What is the opposite of save?
It depends on the sense. When save means to rescue, its opposite is to endanger, abandon, or lose. When it means to keep money, the opposite is to spend or waste. The common thread is that saving preserves something, while its opposites risk it or use it up.
What is an example of using save?
In the rescue sense: "The lifeguard saved a swimmer caught in the current." Other senses include "She saves fifty pounds a month," "Remember to save your document," and "The goalkeeper saved the penalty." Each one keeps something, a life, money, work, or a goal, from being lost.